Life is different for three out of 10 people worldwide, or 2.1 billion people, who do not have clean, safe water in their homes. One quarter of the world’s population does not have access to decent toilets. In cities alone, over 80 million people practice open defecation.

Belal reads the loudest in his class. He is only 12, but has already competed in sports on a national level. He is also one of 1.5 billion people across the world, who live with some form of disability.

According to Small Business Association, nearly one-third of all new businesses crash and burn within the first two years. The number one culprit is the lack of business acumen and market insight. The cycle continues when many become afraid to start their own ventures, after seeing so many fail around them.

Asma Jannat and Munni Aktar, two classmates from Cox’s Bazaar, had to drop out of school when they were in class 8. Their families could no longer afford to keep them in school. What they faced later is a story that is all too common in South Asia - the pressure to get married.

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BRAC is a global leader in creating opportunities for people living in poverty to realise their potential. Our vision is a world free from all forms of exploitation and discrimination. Opinions expressed in this blog are the authors’ own. Visit brac.net.